Cloth clamp



D. SIGMOND CLOTH CLAMR Aug; 8, 1939.

Filed July 2, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l L. Q 0 s g Q Rm Qw mm K m m m m ,w N M 1:25 m w QW I Q m ATTORNEYS Aug. 8, 1939. SIGMQND 2,168,752

CLOTH CLAMP Filed July 2, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 0A \//0 5/eMo/v0 ATTORNEYS D. SIGMOND CLOTH CLAMP Aug. 8, 1939.

Filed July 2, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 TOR IGMOND ATTORNEY 1939. D. SIGMOND 2,168,752

CLOTH CLAMP INVENTOR DAV/0 SIGMOND ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 8, 1939 r f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOTH CLAMP David Sigmund, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application July 2, 1938, Serial No. 217,229

8 Claims. (01. 27031) This invention relates to tailoring equipment Figure 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of and the like, and more particularly to a device for Figure 1;

clamping and pulling a length of fabric over Figure 4 is a rear view of the device shown in the cutters table and engaging it thereon to Figure 1; r 5 facilitate the measuring oil of a plurality of Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the end of 5 equal lengths of material, and holding these the cloth clamp in closed position;

lengths in superimposed relationship so that a Figure 6 is a view in perspective of the measurplurality of cloth patterns may be cut simultaneing device to which the cloth is attached;

ously from the stack of material. Figure '7 is a section along the line l-! of In garment manufacturing and tailoring estab- Figure 6; 10

lishments considerable difficulty is encountered Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cutting by the cutters in arranging the material on the table showing the device according to the incutters table. Usually the fabric is pulled by vention in operation;

hand froma roller mounted at one end of the Figure 9 is aperspective view of amodification; cutters table and impaled on a row of nails at Figure 10 is a section along the line lO-Hl of 15 the other end. The desired length is then cut Figure 9;

from the roller and placed on the table. This Figure 11 is a fragmentary enlarged view of operation is repeated until the required number the cloth clamp shown in Figure 9;

of superimposed layers of material has been cut. Figure 12 is a section taken along the line "2'0 This method, however, is utterly undesirable I2--l2 of Figure 9;

for the reason that the pull on the fabric exerted Figure 13 is a section similar to Figure 1 by hand is not uniform and therefore causes disshowing the clamp in closed position; and

tortion of the warp and weft threads and un- Figure 14 is a section along the line l4-l4 equal stretch of the superimposed layers. Conof Figure 9. "5Z5 sequently the patterns cut therefrom will not be Throughout the drawings the same reference entirely regular. characters serve to indicate the same or anal- Furthermore considerable time is consumed in ogous parts.

placing t layers edge t edge on th t bles, Referring to Figure 8, the reference character which is necessary in order to reduce waste of 28 represents the cutting table upon which the g '30 t i l d t insure regular ttin cloth clamp generally indicated at 2| is operated.

It is therefore the object of the present inven- The eleth Clamp engages t e of a e t tion to provide a, fabri pulling d holding of fabrlc 22 WhlCh is supplied from a roller 23. vice which will exert a, uniform pulling action The roller 23 as well as the reserve roller 24 M on the fabric, and subject the successive lengths are rotatably mounted in brackets 25 ch t an equal tension to the table 2D. The table may be prov1ded with Another object of the invention is to provide legs a device of the character indicated which will The measurme and attachment mechanism 15 facilitate the fastening of t layers to the generally indicated at 21 and 1s mounted adiacent table, and simultaneously release them from the edge Of e table 20. Although it is shown 30 pulling h i bolted to the table, it W111 be understood that Still another object is to provide a device which the mechanism y a so be adJustably connected will insure equal measuring of lengths of fabric i i? wlthout departmg from the 5mm of the and re ular cuttin Othei objects an? advantages inherent in the Refernng 9 Flgures i i g gg invention will become apparent as the specificagg g g g g g l 2 2 :5 2 alorelg one tion proceeds, and when considered in conjuncby hg of f Springs 30 The latter tion with the accompanying drawings Showing tend to maintain the members 28 and 29 in open preferred embodiment together with a possible position.

modlficatlon- The slat 3| is resiliently mounted on the clamp- 50 t drawmgs: ing member 29 and normally raised thereover Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cloth clamp by means of th spring 32 and the slotted guide and pul i dev ce according to the invention; brackets 33. The springs 32 rest in pockets 34 Figure 2 is a Section along the e o on the clamping member 29 and terminate in a gure sharp point or spike 35, which extend through 55 apertures 36 in the slat 3|. It will be noted that the apertures 36 are suificiently large in diameter to afford the point 35 a certain amount of play.

The clamping member 29 is also provided with a row of nails or spikes 3'! along the free edge thereof, which extend through corresponding apertures 38 in the slat 3| and in the clamping member 28. The member 28 is also provided with apertures 39 for accommodating the points or spikes 35 when the clamping members are in closed position.

The clamping member 28 is provided with a recess 46 for accommodating the slat 3| when the device is in closed position.

The closing operation is effected by bringing together the handles 4| and 42 mounted to the clamping members 28 and 29 respectively. The handles are held together by means of the hook or latch 43. The latter is provided with an outwardly bent spring 44 which engages the edge of the cutting table 26 and the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained.

The cloth clamp is pulled along the table on casters 45 which are mounted in springs 46, and which in turn are attached to the clamping member 29. These springs permit the clamp to be pressed down toward the table top.

The guide member 41 normally engages the edge of the cutting table when the clamp is drawn along the same so that the edge of each successive length will lie parallel to the edge of the table.

The hinged edge of the member 29 is provided with a horizontal handle 48 for pulling the cloth clamp along the table, and a vertical handle 49 for pressing it downward towards the top of the cutting table.

The clamping members 28 and 29 as well as the slat 3| are provided with a series of corresponding notches 56, the purpose of which will hereinafter be described.

The rear edge of the clamping member 29 is also provided with a pair of notched brackets 5| which engage the stanchions 52 of the attaching device when the clamp has been pulled the distance corresponding to the length of the cloth to be cut. The stanchions 52 are reciprocable horizontally in the slots 53 of the board 54 against the tension of the spring 55 which is anchored at the forward end by means of a pin or bolt 56.

The board 54 is also provided with a row of nails or spikes 51 for engaging the cloth after it has been released from the clamp.

The operation of the device is as follows: The length of cloth 22 is impaled upon the spikes 35 whereupon the clamp is closed by pressing together the two handles 4| and 42. This closing operation will cause the spikes 31 to be projected through the apertures 38 of the slat 3| to impale the fabric and clamp it firmly between clamping members 28 and 29 as the spikes penetrate into the corresponding apertures of the member 28.

The cloth clamp is then pulled along the cutters table by the handle 48 until the stanchions 52 engage the slots of the brackets 5|. In this position the spikes 5'! will be directly beneath the notches 56. The fabric is impaled upon these spikes by pressing down the clamp by the handle 49. As the clamp is pressed down, the tension of the curved spring 44 engaging the lateral edge of the cutters table will gradually increase until it disengages the latch 43 from the handle 42, which in turn will cause the clamp to snap open. The released tension will cause the slat 3| to lift the fabric off the spikes 37, but it still will be impaled upon the points 35. It will be understood that the spikes 5'! are of sufficient length to extend above these points through the notches 56.

The fabric is released from the clamp by pulling the latter a distance further against the tension of the spring 55 until the spikes 51 are disengaged from the notches 50. Because of the play between the points 35 and the apertures 36, the former will tilt forwardly as the clamp is pulled back against the stanchions 52 and the cloth will slip off. The pressure on the handle 49 is then released and the clamp will spring back to its normal position, so that it can be returned for engagement with another length of cloth.

In the modification shown in Figures 9 to 14 inclusive, the slat 66 is resiliently mounted on the clamping member 6| by means of springs 62 and slotted guide brackets 63. Instead of being attached to the end of the clamping member as in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the guide brackets 63 are mounted in slots 64 on the clamping member 6| in order to make room for the locking mechanism which will hereinafter be described. The springs 62 rest in pockets 65 on the clamping member 6| and abut against the lower surface of the slat 66 to hold the latter normally raised above the surface of the clamping member.

The points 35 of the preferred embodiment have been substituted for pointed spring fingers 66 which are rotatably mounted on a shaft 6'! disposed in recesses 68 on the clamping member 6| and held normally upright by the spring 69. The slat 66 is provided with notches 16 to accommodate these spring fingers.

The leaf springs 36 have also been substituted by spring hinges H which will permit a greater degree of play between the clamping members 6| and 12. The clamping member 12 is recessed in a similar manner to the device shown in Figure l to accommodate the slat 60 when the clamp is in closed position. The notches 13 on the clamping member 12 serve to accommodate the spring fingers 66. The clamping members 6| and 12 as well as the slat 66 are also provided with notches 14 to accommodate the spikes 51 of the attachment device.

The clamping members BI and 12 are locked together by means of the trigger 16 which is pivoted in the slot II on the clamping member I2. The trigger 72 may be pushed backwardly against the tension of the spring 18 which is mounted on the lever arm 19 and bears against the lower surface of the clamping member 72.

The clamping member 6| is also provided with a recess 86 having a slot 8| for accommodating the trigger mechanism. When the clamping members are pressed together the curved end of the trigger will ride on the forward edge of the slot 8| and be pushed backward against the tension of the spring 16 until it snaps into locking position as shown in Figure 13.

A piston 82 is resiliently mounted in the recess 86 by means of the spring 83 interposed between the bushing 84 and the collar 85. The screw threaded bushing 84 is then held in position by the screw threaded cap 85 which clamps the disc 86 firmly against the floor of the recess 86. The piston 82 terminates at its upper end with a disc 81, normally resting on the disc 86, and at its lower end in a rubber ball 88 or similar article.

When the cloth clamp is pressed down to impale the fabric on the spikes 57, the ball 88 will engage the table and the disc 81 will engage the lever arm 79 to disengage the trigger 16 and the clamping members will snap open.

The guide member 89 in this modification is provided with a ball bearing roller 90 which will reduce the friction and make the sliding engagement with the edge of the table smoother.

In other respects the modification shown in Figures-9 to 14 isidentical with the preferred embodiment and the same parts have been given the same reference characters. It will be understood that the mode'of operation is the same.

It will thus be noted that an improved cloth holding and measuring device has been provided, whereby the successive-layers may be superimposed upon one another in accurate aligned relationship. The equal pull along the severed edge of the fabric will eliminate distortion and insure regularly cut patterns. Furthermore, the fabric is impaled directly upon the nails or spikes on the cutters table by the novel cloth clamp so that manual handling is unnecessary.

It will also be apparent that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The following is claimed:

1. A device for attaching lengths of cloth and the like from a supply roller to a cutters table having a transverse row of spikes for impaling the cloth, comprising a pair of clamping members for engaging the severed edge of the cloth and pulling it longitudinally of the table, depressible means on said clamping members for impaling the cloth on said spikes, and means controlled by the impaling operation for releasing the cloth from said clamping members.

2. A device for attaching lengths of cloth and the like from a supply roller to a cutters table having a transverse row of spikes for impaling the cloth, comprising a pair of resiliently hinged clamping members for engaging the severed edge of the cloth and pulling it longitudinally of the table, means for locking said clamping members in clamping position, said clamping members being notched to accommodate said spikes, resilient means on one of said clamping members for enabling manual impaling of the fabric on said spikes, and means controlled by the impaling operation for unlocking said clamping members to release the cloth.

3. A device for attaching lengths of cloth and the like from a supply roller to a cutters table having a transverse row of spikes for impaling the cloth, comprising a pair of resiliently hinged clamping members, for holding the severed edge of the cloth and pull it longitudinally of the table, flexible engaging means on one of said members for the cloth, a row of spikes along the free edge of one of said clamping members for impaling the fabric when said clamping members are in closed position, means for looking said members in clamping position, said clamping members being notched to accommodate the spikes on the cutters table, resilient means enabling manual depression of said clamping members to impale the cloth on said last men tioned spikes, means controlled by the impaling operation for unlocking said clamping members, and resilient means between said clamping members for freeing the cloth from the spikes on one of said members.

4. A device for attaching lengths of cloths and the like from a supply roller to a cutters table having a transverse row of spikes on which the cloth is to be impaled, comprising a pair of resiliently hinged clamping members for holding and pulling the severed edge longitudinally of the table, flexible means on one of said members for engaging the cloth, gripping means along the free edge of said members for holding the cloth, means for locking said clamping members, means on said clamping members for enabling manual impaling of the fabric on said spikes, means controlled by the impaling operation for unlocking said clamping members, and compressible means between said clamping members for releasing the cloth from said gripping means.

5. A device for attaching lengths of cloth and the like from a supply roller to a cutters table having a transverse row of spikes on which the cloth is to be impaled comprising a pair of resiliently hinged clamping members for holding the severed edge of the cloth and pulling it longitudinally of the table, gripping means along the free edge of said members, a shield resiliently mounted between said members covering said gripping members when said members are in open position, and apertured to receive said gripping means when said members are closed, flexible engaging means for the cloth extending through said shield, locking means for holding said clamping members in closed position, a flexible carriage for said clamping members enabling manual depression thereof to impale the fabric on said spikes, notches on said members for accommodating said spikes, and means controlled by the impaling operation for unlocking said clamping members, whereby said shield will disengage the cloth from said gripping members.

6. A device for attaching lengths of cloth and the like from a supply roller to a cutters table having a transverse row of spikes on which the cloth is to be impaled, comprising a pair of resiliently hinged clamping members for holding the severed edge of the cloth and pulling it longitudinally of the table, a row of impaling members along the free edge of one of said clamping members, means between said clamping members and controlled by the closing operation for impaling the cloth on said impaling members, locking means for holding said clamping members in closed position, means on said clamping members enabling manual impaling of the cloth directly therefrom onto said spikes, means controlled by the impaling operation for unlocking said clamping members, and means for disengaging the cloth from said impaling members.

'7. A device for attaching lengths of cloth and the like to a cutters table having a transverse row of spikes on which the cloth is to be impaled, comprising a pair of resiliently hinged clamping members for holding the severed edge of the fabric and pulling it longitudinally of the table, a row of impaling members along the free edge of one of said clamping members, means between said clamping members and controlled by the closing operation for impaling the fabric on said impaling members, a resiliently pivotable latch member having a lever arm on one of said clamping members, a recess having a slot for accommodating said latch member on said other clamping member to lock said clamping members together, a resiliently reciprocable rod depending from said recess, and adapted to engage said lever arm and the surface of the cutting table, a flexible carriage for said clamping members enabling manual depression thereof to 1mpale the cloth on said spikes, said clamping members being notched to accommodate said spikes, whereby said rod will be pushed upward into said recess during the impaling operation to re- 75 lease said latch member, and means for disengaging the cloth from said impaling members.

8. A device for attaching lengths of cloth and the like from a supply roller to a cutters table having a transverse row of spikes on which the cloth is to be impaled comprising a pair of resiliently hinged clamping members for holding the severed edge of the cloth and pulling it 1ongitudinally of the table, gripping means along the free edge of said members, a shield resiliently mounted between said members covering said gripping members when said members are in open position, and apertured to receive said gripping means when said members are closed, flexible engaging means for the cloth extending through said shield, a resiliently pivotable latch member having a lever arm on one of said clamping members, a recess having a slot for accommodating said latch member on said other clamping member to lock said clamping members together, a resiliently reciprocable rod depending from said recess, and adapted to engage said lever arm and the surface of the cutting table, a flexible carriage for said clamping members enabling manual depression thereof to impale the cloth on said spikes, said clamping members being notched to accommodate said spikes, whereby said rod will be pushed upward into said recess during the impaling operation to release said latch member, and whereby said shield will disengage the cloth from said gripping means.

DAVID SIGMOND. 

